6.8	Biosystems Engineering

Head: Q. (Chong) Zhang
Graduate Chair: R. (Ranjan) Sri Ranjan
Administrative Assistant: D. (Debby) Watson
General Office: E2-376 EITC (Engineering Building)
Telephone: (204) 474 6033
Fax: (204) 474 7512
Email: headbio@cc.umanitoba.ca
Website: umanitoba.ca/afs/bioeng/

Academic Staff

Program Information
The Department of Biosystems Engineering offers graduate programs leading to M.Sc., M.Eng., and Ph.D. degrees. The graduate programs in the department focus on applications of engineering in biological systems. Strong emphasis is placed on assisting graduate students to gain a broad range of skills and experience in conducting interdisciplinary research, in understanding the interrelationships among physical and biological factors, and in written and oral communication.

Fields of Research
Environmental Engineering: Environmental impact assessments of agricultural and food production; biological reduction of wastewater; membrane bioreactor technology; management and utilization of agricultural and food processing wastes; management of livestock manure; biofiltration; environmental odours; protection and remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater; site preparation and selection.

Bio-Processing: Infrared processing of food; superheated steam drying; extraction technologies for complex oil/juice crops; modified atmosphere storage of meat, fruits, and vegetables; fast freezing of fruits; mathematical modelling of food systems; physical, thermal, and rheological properties of foods; water activities of foods; shelf-life, flow of bulk solids; bulk properties of grains and powders.

Biofuels: bioengineering for biofuels; bioreactors; anaerobic digestion of waste for biogas.

Biosensors: bioengineering of methods to detect and monitor biological materials (nucleic acids, proteins, lipids) and/or microorganisms (viruses, bacteria).

Post-harvest Preservation of Grains: Grain storing and drying systems; computer simulation of stored-grain ecosystems; physical methods of controlling insects and micro-organisms; machine vision for automated handling and classification of grain; properties of grains and oilseeds; expert systems for managing stored products.

Bio-Imaging: Computer analysis of images for grading, orientation, and automation; near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy; development and application of neural networks.

Power and Machinery: Harvesting and processing of new crops such as hemp; precision agriculture; guidance systems for agricultural machinery; ergonomics of agricultural machinery; assistive technologies for farmers with disabilities; tillage and seeding; soil-machine interaction; equipment for manure handling.

Soil and Water Engineering: Irrigation and drainage systems; flow and contaminant transport in porous media; soil-plant-water relations.
Light-Frame Structures: Structural aspects of light-frame buildings; use of wood and other structural materials; bulk solids storage structures (bins and silos).

Bio-Environment: Animal production environment; plant growth environment; energy conservation in animal and plant production; environments in buildings designed for biological processes.

Research Facilities
Departmental research facilities include: infrared treatment equipment; differential scanning colorimeter; texture analyser; superheated-steam drier; freeze drier; supercritical fluid extraction system, soil bin; tractor cab simulator; universal test machines; loading frames for structural testing of wood beams, columns, and trusses; facilities for studying flow through porous-media; electronic nose; olfactometer; and access to a university farm for research on both animal and crop production.

The Department has a 1400-m2 state-of-the-art laboratory for research on stored-grain ecosystems. The facility includes: machine vision equipment; a soft x-ray unit; near-ambient, high temperature, infrared and microwave driers; a fan-testing unit; instrumentation for measuring loads in grain storage structures; equipment to measure physical, thermal, biological, and quality characteristics of grains and oilseeds; thermal disinfestation systems; environmental chambers; grain handling and cleaning equipment; and several grain bins.

An advanced Bioengineering for Biofuels laboratory is currently under construction. This facility will contain state-of-the-art equipment for advanced biotechnological analyses of DNA, RNA, and proteins, including quantification, separation, and visualization of nucleic acids and proteins.

M.Sc. in Biosystems Engineering

Admission
For admission into the M.Sc. program, applicants are normally required to hold a Bachelor’s degree in Biosystems Engineering or equivalent from a recognized university. Candidates with degrees in related areas will be accepted at the discretion of the department head.

Application Deadlines
Canadian/U.S. students should submit their application and supporting documentation to the Department at least 3 months prior to their intended start date. International students should submit their application and supporting documentation to the Department at least 7 months prior to their intended start date.

Program Requirements
Minimum Program requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies are found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section of this Calendar. A minimum of 18 credit hours of coursework is required, which should include: BIOE 7290; other courses in the 7000 series of Biosystems Engineering of not less than three hours of credit; and approved ancillary courses. In addition, a thesis must be submitted based on original research conducted by the student.

Master of Science students are required to spend at least one academic session in full-time resident graduate study. On recommendation of the department head, the residence requirement may be waived in special cases.

Second language reading requirement: none

Expected time to graduate: 18-24 months

M.Eng. in Biosystems Engineering

Admission
For admission into the M.Eng. program, applicants are normally required to hold a B.Sc.(Eng.) degree. Candidates with degrees in related areas will be accepted at the discretion of the department head.

Application Deadlines
Canadian/U.S. students should submit their application and supporting documentation to the Department at least 3 months prior to their intended start date. International students should submit their application and supporting documentation to the Department at least 7 months prior to their intended start date.

Program Requirements
Minimum Program requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies are found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section of this Calendar. A minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework is required, which should include: a seminar course of Biosystems Engineering, six hours assigned to an approved project and report; and at least 12 credit hours of 7000 level courses offered by the Faculty of Engineering. An oral presentation of the project to a department examining committee is required.

Second language requirement: none

Expected time to graduate: 12-18 months

Ph.D. in Biosystems Engineering

Admission
Admission to the Ph.D. program normally requires a M.Sc. degree. Students making exceptional progress while enrolled in the M.Sc. program may be transferred to the Ph.D. program upon the consent of the department head and based on a recommendation from the student’s advisor and an appointed selection committee which investigates the student’s qualifications and suitability for Ph.D. study. In such cases, the program credit hour requirements shall be decided at the time of the transfer.

Application Deadlines
Canadian/U.S. students should submit their application and supporting documentation to the Department at least 3 months prior to their intended start date. International students should submit their application and supporting documentation to the Department at least 7 months prior to their intended start date.

Program Requirements
Minimum Program requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies are found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section of this Calendar. Students are normally required to take a seminar course of Biosystems Engineering and expected to meet a requirement of teaching and learning in post-secondary education. The teaching and learning requirement may be met by: completing the CHET program; or completing the teaching workshops in Teaching Techniques, and Course Construction and Organization (15 h each) plus other teaching workshops of at least 15 h duration; or completing teaching workshops of 45 h duration. Teaching workshops are offered each year by the University of Manitoba. The advisory committee for the student must approve the process which will be followed by the student to meet the teaching and learning requirement.

Second language requirement: none

Expected time to graduate: 3 - 4 years

Course Descriptions

BIOE 7040 Fluid Mechanics of Unsaturated Porous Solids Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 034.704) Statics and dynamics of two immiscible fluid phases occupying the voids of porous solids. Concepts include capillary pressure, bubbling pressure, saturation, intrinsic and relative permeability, pore-size distribution indices. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

BIOE 7110 Grain Storage Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 034.711) A synthesis of major aspects of the storage of grain including: abiotic and biotic characteristics of stored grain bulks, regional variables, grain pressure theories, methods of controlling deterioration, and health hazards. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

BIOE 7140 Advanced Irrigation and Drainage Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 034.714) Selected advanced problems and new developments in irrigation and drainage. Interrelationships between irrigation and drainage and the environment. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

BIOE 7160 Instrumentation and Controls Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 034.716) For the non-engineering student. Transducers, circuits and instruments for measuring and recording physical quantities such as temperature, humidity, force, pressure, strain, sound, flow and nuclear radiation. Presentation and interpretation of data. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

BIOE 7200 Bulk Solids Storage and Handling Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 034.720) Fundamental characteristics of bulk solids, bulk solids flow during storage and handling, loads in bulk solids storage and handling systems, mechanical, pneumatic and hydraulic conveying of bulk solids, safety in storage and handling of bulk solids. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

BIOE 7210 Numerical Modelling of Biosystems Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 034.721) Applications of numerical methods to the solution of problems dealing with biological systems: structure analysis, mechanical behaviour of biological materials, moisture sorption and desorption, cooling and heating of biological materials, and flow through saturated and unsaturated porous media. Solution of transient and non-linear problems. Use of commercial finite element packages for problem solving. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

BIOE 7220 Advanced Machine Design Analysis for Biosystems Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 034.722) Analysis of machines for use in biosystems with respect to design and functional performance, in-field traction, operator safety and comfort, and energy source, transmission and application. Engineering analyses will be used to study biosystems machinery problems of current and future interest. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

BIOE 7230 Advanced Topics on Light-Frame Buildings Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 034.723) Structural and environmental design and analysis of light-frame buildings. Topics include: loads in light-frame buildings; frame design; construction management; environmental control in light-frame buildings; and structure-environment interactions. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

BIOE 7240 Special Problems in Biosystems Engineering Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 034.724) Advanced work in a specialized field involving engineering applications to biological systems. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

BIOE 7250 Mechanical Behaviour of Biological Materials Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 034.725) Elastic and inelastic behaviour of biological materials under applied load. Emphasis on unprocessed and semi-processed food products. Use of mechanical behaviour properties in the design of handling, storage, processing and sensing systems for food products. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

BIOE 7260 Research Methods for Biosystems Engineers Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 034.726) Introduction to various research methods, including data acquisition and transmission, control systems, dimensional analysis, random signal analysis, experimental design, error analysis, stochastic modelling, fuzzy mathematics and expert systems. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

BIOE 7270 Advanced Seminar in Biosystems Engineering Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 034.727) A series of seminars to be given by Ph.D. candidates on research topics of current interest in Biosystems Engineering. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

BIOE 7280 Advanced Topics in Biosystems Engineering Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 034.728) An opportunity to extend, update or acquire specialized knowledge in particular area of interest. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

BIOE 7290 Biosystems Engineering Seminar 1 Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 034.729) Oral and written presentation of engineering research is discussed. Students are expected to actively participate in weekly seminars and to present two seminars both orally and written.

BIOE 7300 Food Process Engineering Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 034.730) Food engineering concepts are presented using quantitative relationships that define the process. Various advanced methods of heating and processing foods are discussed and their mathematical and physical relationships described. Descriptive information of typical equipment assists students in utilizing engineering principles in design. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

BIOE 7310 Materials Incorporation into Soil Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 034.731) Types and characteristics of agricultural materials; solid and liquid waste (including manure) incorporation; crop residue incorporations, seed placement; chemical incorporation; methods and equipment; performance evaluation; measurement technique.

BIOE 7320 Membrane Processes for Water and Waste Treatment Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 034.732) Principles of membrane filtration, classification, design and manufacture. Principle mechanisms of mass transport to the membrane surface and particle/solute rejection. Investigation of membrane bio-fouling and bio-film control strategies. Fundamentals of reverse osmosis, nano-, ultra-, and micro-filtration process design and operation. Practical applications of membranes in the area of water and wastewater treatment. Innovative and novel bio-reactor designs utilizing membrane filtration for environmental reclamation.